Dr. Randi Fredricks' Books & Publications

Fredricks, Randi. (2008). Healing & wholeness: Complementary and alternative therapies for mental health. Bloomington, IN: Author House.

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Fredricks, Randi. (2011). An exploratory study of the effects of water fasting for depression (Doctoral dissertation). ProQuest database. (UMI No. 3453555)

Abstract
This mixed methods study including both quantitative and qualitative data explored the use of water fasting to decrease symptoms of depression. Water fasting was defined as abstinence from all food and drink except water for a specific length of time. Transpersonal scholars have suggested that fasting can be a means of personal transformation, providing exceptional human experiences and leading to peak experiences and self-actualization. The degree of depression was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). The research question was: Do individuals who engage in water fasting demonstrate a decrease in the symptoms of depression? Using a mixed methods design, 42 fasting participants were matched to 42 comparison participants at testing time one for gender and level of depression according to the four BDI-II scoring categories of minimal, mild, moderate and severe depression. The researcher found a statistically significant difference between the groups [ F(1,82)=20.91, p<.001 ], demonstrating the efficacy of fasting as a potential treatment for decreasing symptoms of depression.

Fredricks, Randi, Stinson, Cynthia, and Soukup, Paul. (1993). Communication apprehension among adult children of alcoholics (Baccalaureate thesis). Eric database. (ED No. 364923)

Abstract
Noting that children of alcoholic parents come from home settings similar to those identified as potential sources of communication apprehension, a study compared communication apprehension scores of adult children of alcoholics (ACoA) with those of non-ACoAs. Subjects, 85 men and 109 women, were drawn from a local church, undergraduate and graduate classes at a northern California university, and northern California Al-Anon ACoA meetings. They ranged from 18 to 60 years of age, with a wide range of educational backgrounds. Each subject completed a questionnaire that consisted of two instruments: the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test (CAST) and McCroskey's Personal Report of Communication Apprehension Test (PRCA-24). Results indicated a strong relationship between ACoAs and CA except where subjects were involved in a group communication situation.

Fredricks, Randi. (2001). Complementary and alternative therapies in addiction treatment (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Canyon College, Caldwell, ID.

Abstract
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies has increased significantly over past two decades. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), most consumers in the United States have used CAM at least once during the previous year. In the area of addiction and substance abuse disorders (as classified by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), a number of therapies have been used in treatment facilities, such as nutritional therapy, yoga, and meditation. In order to develop a clear picture of how many alcohol and drug treatment facilities currently use CAM, the researcher contacted 30 treatment facilities accross the United States and surveyed their current CAM applications. The results indicated that the significant majority of facilities do not use any CAM, with nutritional therapies being the most prevalent at about 5%.

Fredricks, Randi. (2001). Fasting as a transformative experience (Unpublished master's thesis). John F. Kennedy University, Campbell, CA.

Abstract
While the origins of fasting as a religious and spiritual practice are considered obscure, it has occurred in every major religion and has been used as a method of transformation and healing since the beginning of recorded history. The power of fasting is evident in its use in religion, politics, and medicine. Entire religions have evolved from one man's fast, empires toppled, and wars halted. For historic examples, we need look no further than Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, and Gandhi. Just as with other time-honored spiritual practices, fasting addresses many of the principal concerns of transpersonal psychology. The primary way it accomplishes this is by initiating transformative change through peak experiences.